“Where’s my birthday girl... Antoinette! Wow! Oh, happy birthday, darling!” My mother, grinning from ear to ear, hugged Antoinette tightly.
“Hello Mrs. Johnson! ... Oh! Mark! Welcome! Thanks for coming!” Antoinette loosened herself from mother’s arms and came running to me.
[[#_msocom_1|[S1]]] She grabbed my hand firmly and skipped towards the living room, I following close behind.
[[#_msocom_2|[S2]]] “You know, I probably want to shower before eating the cake.” Antoinette said as Donny, my best friend joined me. “Hey, Netty, you wanna play Scrabble with me and Mary?” Jerry suddenly hollered.
“Sure! Okay, Mark, catch you later!” Antoinette said, sashaying toward the enormous, polished, wooden table, the game board on it.
Meanwhile, I went to see the delicious-looking cake, and I was joined by Donny.
[[#_msocom_3|[S3]]]
“Oh, hello Don!” My emotionless face was unusual for Donny.
“Is there a matter, Mark
[[#_msocom_4|[S4]]]
“Well, you have been a friend to me since when? Preschool? I won’t be afraid to share with you some of my secrets, heh? You know Antoinette, she’s so intelligent.. so sweet.. so –“
[[#_msocom_5|[S5]]]
“What-what are you doing?” I exclaimed. “It’s the birthday cake! Why in the world are you eating it?”

[[#_msocom_6|[S6]]]
[[#_msocom_7|[S7]]]
“You know, Antoinette is beautiful.”
[[#_msocom_8|[S8]]] “I feel something coming. Gotta go to the restroom, [[#_msocom_9|[S9]]] .” [[#_msocom_10|[S10]]]
Something brushed between my legs. “Kitty!’’ Angela, Antoinette’s younger sister, shouted, chasing the small, tiny cat into the kitchen. I paused for a moment, mouth open wide, eyes wide open, stared down to the clean floor which smelt of detergent.
[[#_msocom_11|[S11]]]
“Caught you kitty!” Angela cried. She got it in the corridor leading to Angela and Antoinette’s rooms. In fact, I also saw the door to the bathroom wide open. Curious, I peeped into the bathroom as Angela walked back into the living room. I saw that Don was delightfully pouring some green food colouring into the shampoo bottle, unaware of my presence.

[[#_msocom_12|[S12]]] “Hah! Zoology! Z-O-O-L-O-G-Y! What are the scores for this round of spelling bee, Jack... Yes! I win! Great game, guys. Well, I guess I’ll go for a bath now. I want to feel fresh for it!” Antoinette cheered, and half skipped half ran to the bathroom, just before I could get her, and the restroom door slammed loudly in front of me.
Time passed. Suddenly, a loud scream came from the bathroom.



[[#_msoanchor_1|[S1]]]Describes Antoinette’s appearance

[[#_msoanchor_2|[S2]]]Building up of lively atmosphere

[[#_msoanchor_3|[S3]]]To show casual relationship between Donny and Mark

[[#_msoanchor_4|[S4]]]Curious

[[#_msoanchor_5|[S5]]]Careful, mischievous

[[#_msoanchor_6|[S6]]]Careful, intelligent

[[#_msoanchor_7|[S7]]]Treasures friendship

[[#_msoanchor_8|[S8]]]Mischievous

[[#_msoanchor_9|[S9]]]Casual Relationship between Donny and Mark

[[#_msoanchor_10|[S10]]]Careful, intelligent

[[#_msoanchor_11|[S11]]]Helpful

[[#_msoanchor_12|[S12]]]Treasures friendship